How to Cover the IFSCA Grade A Syllabus in 3 Months

 The IFSCA Grade A syllabus often looks intimidating to aspirants at first glance. Conducted by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), the Assistant Manager (Grade A) examination covers a wide range of topics- from Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning to Economics, Finance, and English writing skills. Many candidates wonder if it is even possible to master such a syllabus in just three months.

The good news is that with a clear plan, the right resources, and disciplined preparation, you can cover the IFSCA Grade A syllabus within 90 days. Let’s break down how to do it step by step.

Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern

Before starting, study the syllabus and pattern as outlined in the official notification:

Phase 1 (Prelims):

  1. Quantitative Aptitude

  2. Reasoning Ability

  3. English Language

  4. General Awareness (with emphasis on the financial sector)

Phase 2 (Mains):

  1. Paper 1: English (Essay, Precis, Comprehension)

  2. Paper 2: Professional Knowledge (Economics, Finance, Management, and topics relevant to your stream)

Interview:

Candidates shortlisted from Phase 2 face an interview round.

The first step is to map out these topics on paper. Once you know what you need to cover, you can plan your schedule better.

Month 1: Build Strong Foundations

Focus Areas:

  1. Basic concepts in Quantitative Aptitude (percentages, ratios, time & work, averages)

  2. Core Reasoning topics (puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogisms, coding‑decoding)

  3. Grammar rules and reading comprehension practice for English

  4. Static concepts in finance and economics (functions of IFSCA, basics of financial markets, regulatory bodies)

Daily Routine Suggestion:

  1. Morning: 1.5 hours of Quant basics

  2. Afternoon: 1 hour of Reasoning practice

  3. Evening: 1 hour of reading newspapers and noting current affairs

  4. Night: 1 hour revising finance/economics concepts

By the end of the first month, you should be comfortable with foundational topics and have created handwritten notes for revision.

Month 2: Strengthen Professional Knowledge and Practice

Focus Areas:

  1. Dive deeper into financial market concepts: capital market, derivatives, mutual funds, and regulatory frameworks.

  2. Cover management basics and introductory accounting principles.

  3. Start practicing descriptive writing for Paper 1: write an essay each week, attempt précis writing, and practice comprehension exercises.

Strategy:

  1. Attempt weekly mock tests for Phase 1 and analyze your scores.

  2. Begin practicing with previous year’s questions to understand recurring topics and patterns.

  3. Continue daily current affairs updates, focusing on developments in financial services and policies.

By the end of Month 2, you should have finished at least 70% of the syllabus and started integrating your knowledge through practice tests.

Month 3: Revision and Intensive Mock Tests

Focus Areas:

  1. Revise all notes you prepared earlier.

  2. Solve at least 2 full‑length Phase 1 mock tests and 1 Phase 2 descriptive mock test every week.

  3. Identify weak areas from the mocks and devote extra time to them.

  4. Go through the last six months of financial news, budget highlights, and regulatory updates.

Daily Routine Suggestion:

  1. Morning: 1 hour of revision (Quant & Reasoning)

  2. Afternoon: 1 hour of descriptive writing practice

  3. Evening: 1.5 hours of professional knowledge revision

  4. Night: Take a mock test or review mock test mistakes

By the end of Month 3, you should feel confident about the syllabus and be ready for exam day.

Recommended Resources

Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning:

  1. R.S. Aggarwal’s books or similar standard practice guides

  2. Online mock test series and topic‑wise quizzes

English Language:

  1. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis for vocabulary

  2. Editorials from reputed newspapers for comprehension and writing style

Professional Knowledge:

  1. Edutap’s IFSCA Grade A study material

  2. Basic economics and finance books (NCERTs or IGNOU material for fundamentals)

  3. RBI and IFSCA official publications for regulatory updates

Current Affairs:

  1. Monthly compilations from reliable portals

  2. PIB (Press Information Bureau) and Ministry of Finance releases

Track Your Progress

Maintain a simple progress chart:

Week

Topics Completed

Mock Tests Attempted

Weak Areas

Review this weekly. If you see recurring weak areas, adjust your schedule to give those topics more time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Starting without a plan: Random preparation leads to gaps. Always follow a timetable.

  2. Ignoring current affairs: Financial awareness is vital. Keep updating yourself daily.

  3. Skipping mock tests: Regular practice under timed conditions builds speed and accuracy.

  4. Delaying revision: Revisiting topics regularly prevents last‑minute panic.

Conclusion

Covering the IFSCA Grade A syllabus in three months is absolutely achievable if you approach it with discipline and strategy. Begin by understanding the exam pattern, divide your time effectively, and stick to your plan. Focus on conceptual clarity in the first month, practice extensively in the second month, and use the final month for revision and full‑length mocks.

Consistency is the key. Even on busy days, try to devote at least a couple of hours to preparation. By following this plan, you will not only finish the syllabus but also develop the confidence needed to perform well in the examination.

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